San Augustine and Sabine Counties, Texas
The most common soil here is Moswell, on about 13% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Cuthbert and Eastwood come next.
About 54% of the land drains well, and 12% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 11% of it.
USDA rates 83% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 47% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 12% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 9% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in San Augustine and Sabine Counties, Texas, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in San Augustine and Sabine Counties, Texas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 95K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Moswell loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 62K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moswell loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cuthbert fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Metcalf-Sawtown complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 30K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mattex-Iulus complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 29K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kirvin fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laneville loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 17K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tenaha loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Trawick gravelly clay loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tenaha loamy fine sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nacogdoches clay loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Penning-Kurth complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Raylake clay, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iulus fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 13K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nacogdoches fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kurth fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bowie fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 47% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 83% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.